Cold snaps for Team Novo Nordisk in Provence

Like many teams at the tenth edition of the Tour de Provence the harsh weather conditons from stage one took their toll on Team Novo Nordisk on today’s cold yet dry Queen Stage that finished in the snow atop the Monatgne de Lure.

The day started well for the American outfit, with 26-year-old Declan Irvine inspred by the escapades of fellow Aussie Bailey McDonald in the breakaway on stage one and deciding to have a go himself, jumping into the early six rider move and enjoying his time out front over the first half of the stage.

Eventually the terrain and temperature began to noticeably have an effect and the peloton started to get smaller and smaller with Italians Filippo Ridolfo and Andrea Peron remaining near the front alongside Belgian Quinten De Graeve.

“The cold and wet really played a part on yesterday’s stage,” said Ridolfo. “So much so that even though it was dry today, the tempartures were still low and it felt like my legs couldn’t get warm at all. I tried to stay at the front as long as possible, but I was suffering on the climbs and feeling a little blocked with the cold.”

“My overall condition is good even though I came out of stage one feeling frustrated because we worked hard to be tehre at the end and I couldn’t contest the sprint with how the final unfolded. We have one more opportunity tomorrow, it’s a long stage at 200km, but with a flat finish in Arles that will suit me more.”